Issue 8

Magdalene Bridge is one of the country’s oldest surviving iron bridges, and these papers comprise a detailed investigation into its early history, and a new computer method structural analysis which confirms its capability of withstanding modern high way loading. S.K. Morgan and T.J. Heathorn

Mr Philip Reece (F): It has been mentioned already that the trussed rafter industry is now 15 years old, and I think it is by no means too soon for Mr Ransom to peer into the future and see what possible dangers are awaiting the use of the trussed rafter on a big scale. There will be, and are, plenty of legitimate criticisms. After 15 years, it is unlikely that such a revolution as we made in the building industry would go by without leaving some traces somewhere. But let us not lose sight of what the trussed rafter has achieved for us.

Microcomputers Microcomputers are a subject of immediate concern to our readers; we are therefore squeezing into this column, as a sort of ‘stop press’ item, ideas put forward by Mr S. R. Ashley. Having pointed out the difficulties of users checking packaged programs, possible limits on use, the seller’s need to maintain security, the terms of sale, and possible effects on professional indemnity insurance cover, he closes: I have come to the conclusion that programs should be supplied unsecured, enabling users and checkers to satisfy themselves properly that the methods and results are valid for any particular application, which to my mind would relieve the deviser of responsibility while restoring a spirit of goodwill and trust which would almost certainly lead to more rapid improvement and development of programs. prepared to take this step or not, I would also like to see an independent body set up for the express purpose of checking the performance of programs; a ‘kitemarking’ or accrediting system based on comprehensive testing and comparison of results by different methods and programs. Verulam